I would really like us to end the transfer window with a better right sided centre half option than Oshilaja. He's occasionally very good, he can be strong, quick, spot a clever pass or 1-2, but he can also instantly forget all that and be absolutely woeful. Generally he tends to decide which of these he's going to be for a whole game, so we could do with a more reliable defender there than him. Though the positive about him being our only right sided centre half is that Bowyer can't play him at left back, so there's that
I would really like us to end the transfer window with a better right sided centre half option than Oshilaja. He's occasionally very good, he can be strong, quick, spot a clever pass or 1-2, but he can also instantly forget all that and be absolutely woeful. Generally he tends to decide which of these he's going to be for a whole game, so we could do with a more reliable defender there than him. Though the positive about him being our only right sided centre half is that Bowyer can't play him at left back, so there's that
I'd actually be happy with him as a RB if there's nobody else out there and we can't get Matthews back. Agree we need at least another strong right-sided player for competition.
I would really like us to end the transfer window with a better right sided centre half option than Oshilaja. He's occasionally very good, he can be strong, quick, spot a clever pass or 1-2, but he can also instantly forget all that and be absolutely woeful. Generally he tends to decide which of these he's going to be for a whole game, so we could do with a more reliable defender there than him. Though the positive about him being our only right sided centre half is that Bowyer can't play him at left back, so there's that
For now at least Pratley gives us another option there, and Barker too after his performances so far.
Agree though, ideally we want to bring in a couple of centre backs with the potential to step up to the a Championship. I’m not convinced Oshilaja will do that, while Pearce is a bottom 6 Championship player at best.
I would really like us to end the transfer window with a better right sided centre half option than Oshilaja. He's occasionally very good, he can be strong, quick, spot a clever pass or 1-2, but he can also instantly forget all that and be absolutely woeful. Generally he tends to decide which of these he's going to be for a whole game, so we could do with a more reliable defender there than him. Though the positive about him being our only right sided centre half is that Bowyer can't play him at left back, so there's that
I'd actually be happy with him as a RB if there's nobody else out there and we can't get Matthews back. Agree we need at least another strong right-sided player for competition.
I'd say all his best games for us have been at RB. His performance against Forest at home was absolutely brilliant, especially in the first half. He tends to have the pace to get back into position when he goes forward and RB is a more forgiving role for lapses in concentration, especially when you've got Darren Pratley sweeping up around you.
At this moment in time, League One is Oshilaja's level. Seeing as we are in League One, he isn't a problem and he has potential to improve which playing him will help.
I would really like us to end the transfer window with a better right sided centre half option than Oshilaja. He's occasionally very good, he can be strong, quick, spot a clever pass or 1-2, but he can also instantly forget all that and be absolutely woeful. Generally he tends to decide which of these he's going to be for a whole game, so we could do with a more reliable defender there than him. Though the positive about him being our only right sided centre half is that Bowyer can't play him at left back, so there's that
I'd actually be happy with him as a RB if there's nobody else out there and we can't get Matthews back. Agree we need at least another strong right-sided player for competition.
I'd say all his best games for us have been at RB. His performance against Forest at home was absolutely brilliant, especially in the first half. He tends to have the pace to get back into position when he goes forward and RB is a more forgiving role for lapses in concentration, especially when you've got Darren Pratley sweeping up around you.
Agree completely. As good/consistent as Matthews was, I think Oshilija's game against Forest was one of the best RB performances I've seen since Luke Young. Unfortunately it was never repeated, but I'd be more than happy for him to regularly play RB in League 1.
Oshilaja was also maybe a little unfortunate in that he was rarely playing several whole games in a row in the same position, instead filling in here and there. Given a set position and a chance to settle into it he might be able to improve his admittedly pretty spotty record.
Do you want/need Pratley in midfield in league 1? The way he plays is much more effective, noticeable, needed against better teams.
Is he a good enough center back for the championship, certainly not. Could we "get by" with him in league 1? Probably.
I think that's what Mendonca ment.
Pratley is not a CB, he gives away too many fouls and we cannot afford to give so many away in and around the 18 yard box. As an emergency, sure but not as a starter.
I think Pratley will surprise many from his CDM role this season.
I would really like us to end the transfer window with a better right sided centre half option than Oshilaja. He's occasionally very good, he can be strong, quick, spot a clever pass or 1-2, but he can also instantly forget all that and be absolutely woeful. Generally he tends to decide which of these he's going to be for a whole game, so we could do with a more reliable defender there than him. Though the positive about him being our only right sided centre half is that Bowyer can't play him at left back, so there's that
But he's playing him on the left side of the back 2 at present!
Do you want/need Pratley in midfield in league 1? The way he plays is much more effective, noticeable, needed against better teams.
Is he a good enough center back for the championship, certainly not. Could we "get by" with him in league 1? Probably.
I think that's what Mendonca ment.
Pratley is not a CB, he gives away too many fouls and we cannot afford to give so many away in and around the 18 yard box. As an emergency, sure but not as a starter.
I think Pratley will surprise many from his CDM role this season.
I am not disputing Pratley as a CDM, he was arguably our best out field player last season.
How many games did we dominant possession last season? About 3?
How many will we, hopefully, dominant this season. Probably a lot.
So I would say as a CDM, in most matches, we don't need him to play there. It's no coincidence that his best 2.5 games for us in league 1 were the play off semis and final.
Do you want/need Pratley in midfield in league 1? The way he plays is much more effective, noticeable, needed against better teams.
Is he a good enough center back for the championship, certainly not. Could we "get by" with him in league 1? Probably.
I think that's what Mendonca ment.
Pratley is not a CB, he gives away too many fouls and we cannot afford to give so many away in and around the 18 yard box. As an emergency, sure but not as a starter.
I think Pratley will surprise many from his CDM role this season.
I think he's a good option as part of a back 3, as the "spare" CB who can then bring the ball out.
The thing is, he's still really fit. It's not as his legs have gone, he's still able to break into the opponent's box
Ha sorry, I did type my initial response while taking a walk to Danson!
I really enjoyed Pratley being part of a back 3 last season in some games. He reads danger really well, especially the opposition's runs into space. He also commits less fouls when facing play as most of his yellow cards are "reducer" type of tackles or hacks.
At some point, 35 yo defensive midfielders have to hang their boots up despite how fit they are in training/running sessions, unless they can let the ball do a lot of talking too, ie great passer/crosser/goalscorer of the odd vital goal.
That's my take on where I would have liked Pratters to play this season BUT now we do not have a plethora of CB's to make a back 3, this is unlikely.
Dodgy-Deji is a decent right back but an accident waiting to happen at centre back. Totally agree we ideally need better in the centre of defence. All our centre backs are also on the short side. I’d like to see a physically strong and aerially dominant player brought in.
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Not sure Amos could do much with their goal.
Bonne got the praise from Bow, but Aneke came on and grabbed an assist and a goal. Match Winner right there.
Okay seems fair
Err you what?
Given a set position and a chance to settle into it he might be able to improve his admittedly pretty spotty record.
Is he a good enough center back for the championship, certainly not. Could we "get by" with him in league 1? Probably.
I think that's what Mendonca ment.
I think Pratley will surprise many from his CDM role this season.
I don't think I ever saw him play at right back.
How many games did we dominant possession last season? About 3?
How many will we, hopefully, dominant this season. Probably a lot.
So I would say as a CDM, in most matches, we don't need him to play there. It's no coincidence that his best 2.5 games for us in league 1 were the play off semis and final.
The thing is, he's still really fit. It's not as his legs have gone, he's still able to break into the opponent's box
I really enjoyed Pratley being part of a back 3 last season in some games. He reads danger really well, especially the opposition's runs into space. He also commits less fouls when facing play as most of his yellow cards are "reducer" type of tackles or hacks.
At some point, 35 yo defensive midfielders have to hang their boots up despite how fit they are in training/running sessions, unless they can let the ball do a lot of talking too, ie great passer/crosser/goalscorer of the odd vital goal.
That's my take on where I would have liked Pratters to play this season BUT now we do not have a plethora of CB's to make a back 3, this is unlikely.
First time @ League One level